UPDATE: Who enforces political sign cleanup?

Q: Who is responsible for cleaning up political signs on public property after the election? Are people fined if they don’t pick them up? How is it enforced?

A: Yard signs are prohibited on Seattle city property.

Tickets can be issued based on complaints, provided that a specific location and photos are provided, said Wayne Barnett, executive director of the city’s ethics and elections commission. The penalty is $250.00.

Barnett said the city determined that the Department of Transportation can cite candidates, and street use inspectors will begin issuing citations when they observe illegal signs.

Tickets can be issued repeatedly for the same infraction if the illegally placed signs are not removed

People can remove illegally placed signs from in front of your home or business. The Seattle Transportation Department does not want citizens removing signs from medians or traffic circles for safety reasons, Barnett said.

Complaints can be made by calling 206-684-5267 or by e-mail at annualpermits@seattle.gov.

In Seattle, political yard signs are governed by Seattle Municipal Code 23.55, which regulates all temporary signs in the city. Seattle Elections Code regulations also require sponsor identification on yard signs for specified campaigns. More information on those regulations are in SMC 2.04.290 and SEEC Rule 9.

City leaders have tried to take a more proactive approach to enforcement this year, but resources for enforcement and sign removal are limited, said Barnett, who did not give further details.

Seattle Police spokesman Mark Jamieson said the political sign regulations are not a police matter.

For more on Seattle yard sign regulations, check out this flier from the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission.